SEPTEMBER 23 – Fred Ruthford Gearheart Jr., 67, of Farmville, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2008 at Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He had been fighting Lymphoma for several months. Rudy was born in Gearheart, Kentucky March 29, 1941 and was the eldest child of Fred Ruthford and Faye Counts Gearheart. He graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in 1959 where he lettered in track and basketball. He served in the United States Marine Corp and spent his working career in the finance and banking industry. He was still active in the mortgage business at the time of his death.

Rudy is survived by his son, Fred Ruthford III (Ford), his wife, Jennifer Turnbull Gearheart and their children, Fred Ruthford IV (Ace) and Vivian Reeves Gearheart of Farmville; daughter Madeline Faye's children, Ashley Faye and Emiley Grace Mitchell of Farmville. In addition, he is survived by his close companion, Ruth Gowin; former wife, Linda Beach Bald-win of Keysville; sister, Madeline Marie Terry of Greensboro, N.C.; brother, Rodney Rex and wife, Shirley Dulaney Gearheart of Dublin; brother, Charles Edward and wife, Melody Williams Counts of Meadowview; and parents, Cecil E. and Faye Counts of Salem. Rudy was preceded in death by his daughter, Madeline Faye Mitchell, his brother, Randolph Allen Gearheart and his father, Fred Ruthford Gearheart.

Visitation will be Tuesday (today) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Puckett Funeral Home in Farmville.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Westview Cemetery in Farmville.

Donations may be made to Madeline's House in care of Puckett Funeral Home, 115 Covington Court, Farmville, Va. 23901, or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to pfhinc@kinex.net.

Puckett Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family.